Alternating Refractive Protective Layer to Reduce Foldable Display Cracks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display apparatuses with protective layers suffer from cracks during folding due to damage to the anti-reflection layer, which is a common issue in foldable electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A protective layer comprising a base layer with alternating high and low refractive layers made of titanium-niobium oxide and silicon-aluminum oxide, respectively, and an anti-fingerprint layer with a perfluorinated compound, designed to enhance durability and reduce cracking during folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional anti-reflection layer is used in the protective layer, then the reflectance of externally incident light is reduced to improve visibility, but cracks occur in the protective layer during folding due to damage to the anti-reflection layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by using titanium-niobium oxide instead of conventional titanium oxide. This composite material combines the high refractive index properties needed for anti-reflection with enhanced mechanical strength and flexibility, allowing the protective layer to maintain its optical function while resisting cracks during folding operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by substituting niobium atoms into the titanium oxide lattice structure. This parameter change modifies both the optical properties (maintaining high refractive index) and mechanical properties (improving flexibility and crack resistance), enabling the layer to withstand folding stresses while preserving its anti-reflection functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the protective layer is made more flexible to enable folding, then the foldability of the display apparatus is improved, but the structural integrity of the anti-reflection layer deteriorates causing cracks
Solution Approach 1:
The titanium-niobium oxide composite material provides both the flexibility needed for folding and the structural integrity to prevent cracks. The niobium substitution creates a material that is more ductile than conventional titanium oxide while maintaining sufficient strength to withstand repeated folding cycles without structural failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a multi-layer structure with alternating high and low refractive index layers. This layered approach distributes mechanical stresses locally across different interfaces, preventing crack propagation while maintaining the overall structural integrity needed for foldable applications.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The proposed protective layer significantly reduces the occurrence of cracks during folding by providing enhanced structural integrity and improved resistance to damage, ensuring the longevity and reliability of foldable display apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
a first high refractive layer on the base layer and including titanium and niobium, a first low refractive layer on the first high refractive layer and including silicon and aluminum
Implementation Method 2
each of the first high refractive layer and the second high refractive layer may have a refractive index of about 1.7 to about 3.0, each of the first low refractive layer and the second low refractive layer may have a refractive index of about 1.3 to about 1.6
Implementation Method 3
an anti-fingerprint layer on the second low refractive layer and including a perfluorinated compound
Data Source
AI summary
A protective layer includes a base layer, a first high refractive layer on the base layer and including titanium and niobium, a first low refractive layer on the first high refractive layer and including silicon and aluminum, a second high refractive layer on the first low refractive layer and including a material that is the same as that included in the first high refractive layer, a second low refractive layer on the second high refractive layer and including a material that is the same as that included in the first low refractive layer, and an anti-fingerprint layer on the second low refractive layer and including a perfluorinated compound.